SCIENCE

posal further, i t is suggested that you read the above- mentioned address. Practically all officers and members of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and affiliated societies are extremely interested in this project.

The American Association of Petroleum Geologists will hold its annual meeting in conjunction with the Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists and the So- ciety of Exploration Geophysicists in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 7, 8 and 9.

With this in mind, the executive committee of the Amer- ican Association of Petroleum Geologists proposes to hold a meeting from 9: 00 A.M. to noon, or later, if necessary, on April 10, following the conclusion of the meeting, to discuss, plan and organize the American Geological Asso- ciation (or similar title). You are, therefore, invited and urged to appoint representatives to attend this meeting so that they can give you a report on the proceedings. Even though you may not feel like delegating authority to these representatives to act in behalf of your society, you are still urged to have them present and take part in the discussion and plans.

We hope that you are in accord with our views on this matter and that we will receive your hearty cooperation. Please advise the names of your representatives, if you wish to participate in this project.

T H E NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PLAN- NING FOR WAR AND POST-WAR

MEDICAL SERVICES

THE National Conference on Planning f o r W a r and Post-war Medical Services held on March 15 a joint meeting a t the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel under the auspices of the Carlos Finlay Institute of the Ameri- cas. The medical societies participating were the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American College of Surgeons, the American Drug Manufacturers Association, the Amer- ican Hospital Association, the American Pharmaceu- tical Manufacturers Association, the American Phar- maceutical Association, the American Surgical Trade Association, the Wholesale Surgical Trade Association and the National Physicians Committee fo r the Exten- sion of Medical Services.

The conference was devoted to a discussion of the spread of disease as a consequence of the war, includ- ing malaria, influenza and tropical diseases. It was emphasized that malnutrition in many lands will in- crease furthe: the danger of the spread of epidemic and other diseases.

The speakers a t the morning session included Lieu- tenant Colonel Thomas T. Mackie, Army Medical School, Washington, D. C.; Professor Thomas Fran- cis, Jr., and Dr. Lowell T. Coggeshall, both of the School of Public Health of the University of Michi- gan; Dr. John B. Youmans, of the School of Medicine of Vanderbilt University. Dr. James E. Paullin,

president of the American College of Physicians and president-elect of the American Medical Association, presided.

I n the afternoon addresses were made by Dr. Ed- ward C. Elliott, president of Purdue University and member of the W a r Manpower Commission; Colonel C. F. Shook, Army Medical Corps, and Dr. A. R. Dochez, Columbia University. Brigadier General Fred Rankin, Army Medical Corps, president of the Amer- ican Medical Association, presided.

Speakers a t the evening dinner-session were Nelson A. Rockefeller, coordinator of Inter-American Af-fairs, Washington, D. C.; Frederick P. Keppel, of New York; Norman Davis, chairman of the American Red Cross, and Dr. Morris Fishbein, editor of the J o u r ~ a lof the American Medical Association. Basil 07Connor, president of the Carlos Finlay Institute and of the National Foundation f o r Infantile Paraly- sis, was toastmaster.

CONFERENCE ON FISHERIES

THE National Research Council called a conference on February 15 and 16 of twenty-six representatives of the scientific, administrative and commercial aspects of the fishing industry, to discuss better utili- zation and conservation of resources of the sea and inland waters in the war effort. The conference passed the following resolution :

A serious shortage exists in the production of food fish and fish meal (an important ingredient of certain farm animal feeds) and i t is in the interest of the war effort that every means be taken to increase production, not only in the United States but also in Canada, Newfoundland and Mexico, whence the United States has formerly drawn a portion of its supplies.

The conference, in examining the question, is of the opinion that the state of affairs warrants immediate study, consideration and appropriate action by the Gov- ernment of the United States, and it suggests that the sympathetic cooperation of the Governments of Canada, Newfoundland and Mexico be enlisted in the task of in- creasing the fisheries production of North American waters.

The conference is further of the opinion that the only way to obtain large increase in production is to provide fishing vessels, gear, crews and processing plants for in- creased exploitation of the great oceanic fisheries.

Lesser sources of fisheries products should also be de- veloped and utilized to the fullest possible extent.

Increased exploitation should not be applied to species that have been demonstrably over-fished.

Evidence was presented a t the conference indicating that the great oceanic fisheries, herring (including pilchard), cod and haddock, could be more heavily exploited without danger of over-fishing.